New for 2026, the frank and hilarious must-read for runners everywhere

The most honest, outrageous and joyous running book you'll read…

Alison Stankard is a Running Wanker.

But it didn’t happen overnight. A few morning stumbles around the block in a bid to become pert-bottomed somehow turned into something else: 5ks, 10ks, marathons and even ultra marathons. Then one day, whilst looking at her lack of toenails, embarrassingly large collection of training shoes and buffs, it dawned on her: she had become a Running Wanker.

Some people can go out for an occasional run and not obsess over every little detail. They might not think to take a photo of their hill sprints to post on social media or be able to recite their splits from the race that got them a PB to anybody who’ll listen. All impossible if you’re a true Running W*nker.

There are a lot of books about running. Serious books with marathon plans, advice on nutrition and injury prevention. This book isn’t that. It’s a sweary, honest celebration of all the things that Running W*nkers new and old get up to: sh*tting in bushes, going down the stairs on your arse because your legs won’t bend the day after a marathon, lying about how much trainers cost and plotting how to rig the London Marathon ballot.

The question is: are you a Running W*nker too?